New Delhi: Former Chief Election Commissioner Sy Quraishi fought back on Monday in remarks by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, calling him a “Muslim Commissioner” and saying India defines individuals based on its contributions rather than religious beliefs. Quraishi, who led the Election Commission from July 2010 to June 2012, described the barb as part of the “politics of hatred” and reaffirmed his belief in the constitutional body of India.
“I believe in the idea that a person is defined by his or her talent and contribution – not religious identity. For some, religious identity is a staple for retweeting their hateful politics.” He added that India “has, and will always stand up to fight for its constitutional institutions and principles.”
Later on X (formerly Twitter), Quraishi shared a quote from George Bernard Shaw: “I learned it a long time ago and never wrestled with a pig. You get dirty, and moreover, the pig loves it.”
K. Mahesh, the chairman of the Academic Forum for IAS Officials and Delhi Government Officials, praised Gulasi’s tenure and noted that he established the Commission’s Voter Education and Spend Control Division and founded the Institute for International Democracy and Electoral Management in India. Mahesh recalls Dr. Gopalkrishna Gandhi – the ancestors of Mahatma Gandhi and C. Rajagopalacari – calling Quraishi “one of the most outstanding CECs we have ever had.”
“It is shocking to call Dr. Sy quraishi a Muslim Commissioner. An outstanding, honest and honest officer who wrote the best work in election reform,” wrote former IPS official Yashovardhan Azad on X.
Historian Sanjeev Chopra added: “Gulahis is an internationally renowned election expert and the author of the undocumented miracle – a masterpiece of the Indian Democratic Forces.”
Akhilesh Yadav, chief of Samawadi Party, urged Dolby to “avoid commenting on the former constitutional body that serves the country with outstanding qualities”. UBT leader Sanjay Raut called Quraishi “one of the best election commissioners after TN Seshan” and condemned “trying to split the language of our country.”
CPI Secretary General D. Raja labeled Dolby’s comments as “cruel” and asked the BJP leadership to take action, asking, “What will Modi and Nada say on this issue?”
Even JD (U) spokesman Rajeev Ranjan Prasad was NDA Ally, who said the phrase “bad taste” and pointed out that the BJP was out of reach and instructed leaders to avoid religious barbs.
Dubey’s attack comes after Quraishi’s criticism of the WAQF (Amendment) was “a sinister plan for the government to seize Muslim land.” Dubey posted on April 17: “You are not an election commissioner, you are a Muslim commissioner,” a baseless claim about Rolls, a voter in Jharkhand.
Gulasi’s response and subsequent cross-party support highlighted a rare moment of consensus, defending the holders of the Constitutional Office from identity-based slander.
